You just know Charlie Gibson has met with several generations of heads of state, has used his passport extensively and knows what the Bush Doctrine is. (You know, the Bush Doctrine: “Shoot. Ready. Aim.”)

Clearly, Gibson knows the territory and can pronounce the names with ease. We’ve seen him do it, night after night.

As Gibson sat knee-to-knee with Sarah Palin

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in the first interview of her life on the international political stage, he proved he could be tough, she proved she’s a quick study. Meanwhile, who could help wondering why the country doesn’t just go with a proven television statesman or -woman?

The media scrutiny of the Palin interviews by ABC News continues as further portions roll out tonight. What did you see? Was Gibson disapproving? Was Palin flumoxed? Did he land unfair “gotcha” questions? Did she skate by on “a blizzard of words,” as he put it?

They started out doing a round of “Kumbaya” on behalf of the Democratic Party, then veered into blaming the game of politics. In fact, the real blame should be placed on the media.

Wednesday’s televised candidates’ debate from Philadelphia, tape delayed in Denver, got around to issues eventually. But the first round– devoted to pettiness and word obsession and gaffes– was more revealing. Before they could address policy, the Democratic candidates haggled over the recent media dust-up over Barack Obama’s “bitter” quote. Obama objected that Hillary Clinton’s campaign “takes words and beats them to death” for days…”this is what passes for our politics.”

Substitute “media” and you’ve got a better point of blame. With or without encouragement from the Clintons, the media is gaffe-obsessed.

As James Carville might have said, it’s the 24/7 cable news cycle, stupid.

The media has driven the obsession with gaffes, an obsession that cuts against all three presidential candidates. With endless hours to fill, cable in particular fans the flames, keeps petty spats alive and refuses to let go when there’s a hint of controversy.

Blame ABC and Charlie Gibson for running a taped question from a Pennsylvania voter of whether or not Obama loves the American flag. This impugning of the candidate’s patriotism is a red herring fueled by the network running the debate. Even as it was broadcast, you could feel a national sense of dread over how many hours will be devoted to flag pins in the weeks ahead.

Are you now or have you ever been a member of a non-flag-pin wearing party?

Notes on the coverage of what MSNBC’s Chris Matthews called “Super-Duper Tuesday”:

John King with his Telestrator on CNN, creating a dizzying symphony of expanding, contracting, moving, encircled images on a map. It’s a showy bit of technology that’s best in small doses.
Over on CBS Jeff Greenfield has a telestrator, too. “He’s a John Madden wannabe,” Katie Couric says.

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Way too much information on the screen on MSNBC, needless overkill on a night when less is often more.

Olbermann also pinpointed what he called “the media momentum war,” as usual displaying a keen awareness for the perceptions behind the news that influence the news. He often adds more to the discussion than the rest of the media pack combined.

On CBS, Couric was stuck with weak graphics while ABC gave Charlie Gibson moving pictures of each candidate rather than static numbers. A weird Big Brother screen in front of the ABC team was unnerving. Couric nimbly teased Jeff Greenfield for an interruption: “while you’re turning off your cellphone why don’t you weigh in, Jeff?” She said the touch screen in front of her was helping her hone her ATM skills.

Brian Williams’ more formal style on NBC seemed respectful of the occasion if dated at the same time. Tim Russert, in overdrive since “Today” more than 12 hours ago, continues to salivate. “Polls are closed, can’t wait for those results!” His excitement is contagious.

CBS’ Bob Schieffer, who has announced plans to retire after the 2008 election cycle, got in a self-referential joke about age being “a real asset for McCain.”

The panting countdown to California continues as the night wears on and Matthews in particular looks like he needs to towel off and chill.

ABC News dropped “Tonight” from the title of its evening broadcast to reflect the 24/7 quality on the web; now it’s “World News with Charles Gibson.” Gibson spoke to critics via satellite from Cyprus, portside in short sleeves and kakhis.
“I suspect Peter never forgot his passport,” Gibson said, as he did this morning. Read more…

Question: what did Katie Couric wear?
But the real question is, how sexist is it to write about the new CBS News anchor’s clothes when reporters normally don’t mention what Charlie Gibson or Brian Willaims wears?Read more…

Joanne Ostrow has been watching TV since before "reality" required quotation marks. "Hill Street Blues" was life-changing. If Dickens, Twain or Agatha Christie were alive today, they'd be writing for television. And proud of it.